Means for automatically controlling lamps on vehicles.



R. G. STANLEY.

MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING LAMPS 0N VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14, 1909.

Patented May 3, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR ROY G.S1'AN usv R. G. STANLEY.

MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING LAMPS 0N VEHIOLES.

' APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14, 1909.

957,01 0. Patented May 3, 1910.

2 8HBET8-BEEET 2.

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A-r'rss-r 'Y w ROYG'STANLEY w BY Arrvs.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ams rein"au' iolra'ricaiiii oon'rnonuuei Lam's 0N vnmcnns.

Patented May 3, 1910.

Application filed August 14; 1909. Serial No. 512,834.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROY G. STANLEY, citizen of the United States, residin at Clyde in the county of Sandusky an State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Automatically Controlling Lamps on Vehicles, of which thefollowmg' is a specification.

My invention relates to means for automaticall controlling the position of lamps on vehic es, so that they will always throw their light in the direction of travel whether it be in a straight course or on a turn or curve, all substantiall v as shown and described and particular y pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawin s, Figure 1 is a perspective v ew of the rout of an automobile comprising my invention,- and Fig. 2 is :1. Ian view thereof. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a'lam with means for controllin the same, an Fig. 4 is a side elevation t ereof. Figs. 5 and 6 are views of details. g

The object of the invention is clearly manifest from the foregoing description and views, and comprises especially the means for controlling the lam s from the steering mechanism. Said meo anism may be of the particular construction and arrangement shown herein or the equivalent thereof, and consists, in this instance, in a steering wheel and shaft A, a short rock shaft B having worm gear connection therewith at b, an operating link C and arm D on the steering knuckle for front wheel W, .a rod'or link E connecting arm D of knuckle K with corresponding arm D" of the knuckle K. As to these parts broadly no novelty is claimed, and yet this construction is materially modified in certain particulars so as to render it available for the novel connection and arrangement of parts comprising my invention and having to do especially with the control of the lamps as will presently appear- For example, I have in plan the adaptation of the invention to the machine in such way that the vibration or movement that comes to the machine naturally in traveling over a road, and which presumably is absorbed in the tires and springs, will not in any event be communicated to the lamps or tothe mechanism for automatically controlling the same, thus keeping the lamps quiet and affording a steady and unwavering light. Hence I have introduced novel and ori inal connections in the mechanism as above escrlbed whereby vibration, or jarring or the like is absorbed and cannot be transmitted. Thus, it will be seen, first, that short shaft B has a downwardly projectin its outer end provided with a ball 3 engaged in a socket in the socket head 4 threaded on the end of operating link 0, and said link has a socket head5 fixed on its other end and a curved lateral stem 6 on arm D has a ball engaged in said head 5. There are. also ball and socket connections between arms D and D having balls on their ends and cross connecting rod E, which has socket heads 7 at its ends containing said balls. In this way positive operating connections are made betweenthe actual steering parts from the steering rod A to the respective wheels W while at the same time the vibrations in or upon the said mechanism from wheels W is absorbedand lost in said ball and socket connectlons.

Now, passing to the lamps L and L, it will be seen that they are hung in or upon brackets or yokes N which are in turn supported from or upon the forwardly proecting ends 8 of the main frame of the machine in or by means of semi-spherical balls 9 on the bottom and middle of said yokes resting in correspondin sockets in blocks 10 fixed on said ends, figs, 3 and 4. It is intended that the said yokes should have more or less horizontal movement as the lamps are turned with the direction of travel and they are held horizontally over on their supports but free to turn under a frictional bearing which aids in the 0peration. To this end each semi or half ball 9 has a stem 12 at its bottom through bearing block 10 and frame projection 8, and

armor extension 2 at a spring 13 on said stem and a nut 14 below the spring confined by a cotter pin effect such frictional engagement, the tendency of which is to hold the yoke N with the lamp on its seat at any adjusted position until positively shifted through the operating mcchparts and trolled together.

heads, 24, on the ends of 'rod 22 and balls V point. The said yokes have rearwardly pro- Lecting arms 21 of e ual len h connected y a rod 22, so that i yoke be rotated it will cause positive and equal rotation .of yoke N, and thus the two lamps are con- Here again. are socket on the ends of said arms engaged in said sockets. Finally as to the lamp controlling arts it is necessary that there should be th an adjustable and a free rocking connection between link. 16 and link C from which it is operated to the end that thelamps may, be set aright as compared with the wheels or be angle as to thew this end I em loy a clam given any desired bias or eels for any reason. To

' adapted to be adjustably. astened on ink C by a bolt and nut 31 through its lower split-portion and provided with a ball 32 on its upper end engaged in a socket in socket head 33 on the extremity oflink 16.

Now, considerin the operation from the foregoing, it will e seen that rockin ball joints: are so generally provided in al the connections of both lines of mechanism having to do with steering and the control of Y the lamps that though the lamps are sup-' crating carrle In ,devices of the kind described, a vehicle frame having forwardly projecting portions at its front and concave sockets immediately 1 upon the top thereof, in combination with lamp supporting yokes rovided with substantially semi-spherical alls seated in said sockets and one ofzsaid yokes having an .arm extending beneath and within the sides of said frame, operating connections with the said arm, and a link connection between said yokes.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two wlti'lesses.

ROY e. STANLEY.

' Witnesses:

H. G. Gmeons, HEigRY HOELTZEL. 

